To prevent fraud, officials want contractors to register in tornado-ravaged KY city
Western Kentucky officials are requiring contractors in Mayfield to register their businesses through a program aimed to prevent “fly-by-night” fraudsters who try to take advantage of natural disaster victims.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron and officials from Mayfield and Graves County announced the emergency contractor registration program Sunday. Police in Western Kentucky had previously warned of fraud after receiving “several complaints” about scammers who allegedly were trying to take advantage of people who suffered property damage in the devastating tornadoes.
After registering, contractors will be issued placards which they’ll have to display on their job sites and in their vehicle, according to the attorney general’s office.
The tornadoes which swept through Western Kentucky earlier this month caused at least “hundreds of millions of dollars” in damage, Gov. Andy Beshear said. The longest-tracking tornado, which was the one that hit Mayfield, produced winds as strong as 190 miles per hour. The state has confirmed 76 deaths from the tornadoes, according to Beshear’s office.
“The program aims to prevent ‘fly-by-night’ contractors that often enter areas affected by natural disasters in an attempt to take advantage of consumers,” Cameron’s office said in a statement. “The program requires contractors to register prior to doing business.”
The program starts Monday at 12 p.m. Central Time. The registration office will be located at 1102 Paris Road, Suite 5 and will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to Cameron’s office. It’ll be closed on Dec. 30 and 31.
Contractors who have already registered with the city and county will need to also complete registration with attorney general staff members.
“We know that the Kentucky communities affected by the tornadoes face a long road to rebuild, and we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them during this process,” Cameron said in a statement.
“Our hope is that launching this contractor registration program in partnership with the City of Mayfield and Graves County will assist Kentuckians with identifying registered contractors and deter unscrupulous contractors from entering the region.”
Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan and Graves County Judge-Executive Jesse Perry said their “main goal” as local elected leaders was to protect local citizens and contractors.
Theft has also been an issue in the weeks following the deadly tornadoes which swept through Western Kentucky, leaving cities like Mayfield, Bremen and Dawson Springs especially decimated.
At least 11 arrests were made earlier this month due to looting from tornado-damaged properties. Among those accused of the theft were four people from Michigan, according to Cameron’s office.
This story was originally published December 27, 2021 at 7:14 AM.